International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

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Governance of Sports Organizations in the UAE: Balancing Global Standards and Authentic Islamic Civilizational Values

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This study examines the governance of sports organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the lens of integrating global administrative standards with authentic Islamic civilizational values. By analyzing the conceptual framework of sports governance, this paper assesses the current state of its implementation within Emirati sports institutions and explores mechanisms to optimize this integration. The objective is to enhance institutional efficiency without compromising cultural and value-based identity. This research addresses prominent global governance benchmarks such as transparency, accountability, and efficiency and evaluates the extent to which UAE sports organizations have adopted these principles, backed by national legislation and policies. Furthermore, it underscores the role of Islamic civilizational values namely justice, integrity, consultation, and responsibility in reinforcing governance by providing an ethical framework that guides institutional practices. Additionally, the paper presents a set of mechanisms conducive to achieving synergy between global standards and Islamic values. These include developing integrated regulatory frameworks, fostering value-based leadership, activating codes of conduct, and building value-driven oversight systems. Conversely, it discusses critical challenges facing this approach, such as the implementation gap between policy and practice, competitive pressures, and the complexities of reconciling international metrics with cultural particularities. The study concludes that the UAE model of sports governance represents a balanced paradigm that merges structural modernity with ethical authenticity. Nurturing this integration is imperative to guarantee the sustainability of sports organizations, enhance their societal developmental impact, and solidify civilizational values.
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